The same storm system that dumped more than 5 inches of rain on Ocean County this afternoon is now producing additional cells of dangerous weather, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris and Somerset counties.

Officials have confirmed that one person has been struck by lightning at Sandy Hook, and scores of motorists have been stranded on flooded streets in parts of Ocean County.

An alert issued by the weather service warned that this storm could generate winds as strong as 60 mph. A flash flood warning remains in effect for southern Ocean County until 7:15 p.m.

John Warren, spokesman for Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook, said one person was struck by lightning — along with at least 10 buildings — when a storm passed through the area just before 3 p.m.

"It was a very intense storm that settled over the north end of Sandy Hook," he said this evening. "At the entrance, it was in sunshine."

Within minutes of park rangers and lifeguards clearing the beaches, "heavy rainfall, near continuous strikes of lightning and rapid thunderclaps" descended upon the area, Warren said.

The unidentified man was believed to have been fishing in the Horseshoe Cove section of Fort Hancock historic district on Sandy Hook when he was struck by lightning. He was conscious when he was taken to a local hospital for treatment and his condition was unknown, Warren said.

Several chimneys were also damaged after about a dozen buildings at Sandy Hook were struck by lightning as the storm, described as a "supercell," passed through, Warren said.

Some roadways had up to 2 feet of flooding, he said.

View full sizeChristopher Baxter/The Star-LedgerThis street in Stafford Township is one of the many roads in Ocean County that were flooded from the torrential downpours that pounded the region this afternoon.

Earlier this afternoon, a severe thunderstorm pounded Ocean County with more than 5 inches of rain in only 90 minutes, clearing beaches, stranding cars, downing trees and causing extensive flooding along the coast.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of Ocean County, extending along the Garden State Parkway from Toms River south to around Barnegat. The storm produced large hail, strong winds and extremely heavy rains in the region.

Hail as big as a half-dollar shredded tree leaves and dented cars near Barnegat, and hail the size of golf balls hit the ground in Manahawkin, according to the weather service. Trees were knocked down by heavy winds in many parts of Ocean County.

In Manahawkin, several cars were stuck in flood waters up to the windows, with occupants reported trapped inside. Flooding has also closed multiple roadways, including parts of Route 72, in Stafford Township.

FAST-MOVING STORMS

Joe Rossi, of Clearwater Avenue in Stafford Township, said the storms rolled in fast.

“I would say around 1 o’clock maybe a little earlier,” Rossi said. “I was on Long Beach Island, we were on the beach, it was a beautiful morning and we knew the storms were coming in, so around 12 o clock we got to our house.”

Rossi said on the way home he saw a line of “dark and really nasty storms” straight ahead of him. He said about a half-hour after arriving home, the wind picked up and marble-sized hail began pounding his deck. The street out from turned to a river, he said.

David Gard/The Star-LedgerA string of powerful thunderstorms rolled through New Jersey today. Central High School's graduation ceremony at Newark Symphony Hall ended just as the storm hit downtown Newark.

"This was not small hail — this was hail that dents you car,” Rossi said. “My son’s never seen it, so I was showing him what hail looks like.”

He said the storms became so bad he had his family turn off the lights and gather candles and flashlights. He lost power for about two hours. In all, it was a harrowing afternoon.

“Lightning struck a block away from us and hit a tree,” Rossi said. “We heard that and it kind of shook us a little bit.”

He added it was the worst storm he’s ever seen in the area. “Usually they roll in and out but this has been prolonged,” he said.

At about 5:30 p.m., the home across the street from Rossi caught fire. The Stafford Township fire chief was still on scene about 6:30 p.m. and said it was not yet clear whether lightning or something else caused the blaze, which tore through the home and caused significant damage.

Before the call came in, he said, he was about to send his station home after a long day — a day that began with saving six people trapped in their cars overcome by flood water on nearby Nautilus Drive.

“There were a lot of lightning strikes, trees, poles, trees down in the wind,” Johnson said.